Lundbeck Partners with Migraine Community to Transform Care and Improve Lives
Despite being recognized as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, migraine remains widely misunderstood, and the profound impact it has on individuals’ daily lives is often underestimated by society at large. Millions of people living with migraine face frequent, unpredictable attacks that disrupt work, education, social interactions, and overall well-being, yet the true scope of the disease is frequently overlooked.
This lack of awareness contributes to underdiagnosis, insufficient preventive care, and delayed treatment interventions, leaving many individuals to navigate the challenges of migraine largely on their own. Moreover, the progressive nature of migraine — including the risk of worsening symptoms over time — underscores the urgent need for increased recognition and more comprehensive approaches to care.
In response to this critical gap in migraine awareness and patient support, Lundbeck, a global biopharmaceutical leader with a long-standing commitment to brain health, has joined forces with six leading migraine patient advocacy organizations to launch the “Raise the Bar for Migraine Care” initiative. This program, unveiled during Pain Awareness Month, aims to create a new dialogue among healthcare providers, patients, and the broader community, highlighting the importance of understanding migraine as a complex, disabling, and often progressive disease.
The Need for Improved Migraine Care
The challenges faced by individuals living with migraine are well-documented. Data from recent surveys conducted by the American Migraine Foundation (AMF) and the Association of Migraine Disorders (AMD) — with funding support from Lundbeck — reveal a stark picture of the unmet needs within this population. In the AMF survey, which included responses from 511 people with migraine, 92% of participants reported that migraine had either an extreme or substantial impact on their daily lives. Yet, despite this burden, 83% of respondents indicated a desire for their healthcare providers to better understand how migraine affects their day-to-day functioning, highlighting the critical role of communication in effective care.
The AMD survey, encompassing 467 respondents, further emphasized the limitations of current preventive therapies. Nearly half (49%) of participants stated that their preventive treatment was only somewhat helpful — or not helpful at all — in reducing the frequency, severity, or disability associated with their migraine attacks. Additionally, 68% of respondents expressed significant concern about the possibility of their migraine worsening in the future, reflecting the anxiety and uncertainty that often accompany chronic migraine management. These insights demonstrate that while advances in migraine therapy have improved outcomes for some, substantial gaps in patient care and support remain.
A New Approach: Beyond Symptom Management
“At Lundbeck, we recognize the urgent need to shift the conversation around migraine care from pain and symptom management to a focus on continual improvement for better quality of life for people living with migraine,” said Molly Poarch, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Lundbeck. “Our collaboration with the migraine community was built on a shared purpose: to elevate understanding of migraine as a disabling and progressive disease and redefine care expectations for optimal outcomes, enabling more people to live their lives to the fullest.”
The “Raise the Bar for Migraine Care” initiative embodies this philosophy. Rather than limiting care goals to merely reducing headache or migraine days, the program emphasizes the importance of comprehensive, individualized approaches that consider the broader impact of migraine on patients’ physical, emotional, and social well-being. By fostering more ambitious treatment objectives and supporting patients in achieving them, Lundbeck and its partners aim to improve both clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Empowering Patients Through Resources and Advocacy
Central to the initiative is the development of a comprehensive, user-friendly online resource known as the Patient Empowerment Guide. This guide serves as a one-stop hub for curated patient advocacy resources, offering support to individuals at every stage of their migraine journey. Whether seeking reliable disease information, preparing for meaningful conversations with healthcare providers, or connecting with others who share their experiences, patients can find guidance tailored to their needs.
The Patient Empowerment Guide emphasizes the importance of patient engagement in care decisions. Lundbeck By equipping individuals with the tools to articulate their symptoms, set realistic and ambitious treatment goals, and monitor their progress, the initiative fosters a more proactive and collaborative approach to migraine management. This patient-centered model aligns with emerging best practices in chronic disease care, where understanding each person’s unique experience is key to improving outcomes.
Collaborating with Leading Advocacy Organizations
Lundbeck’s effort is strengthened through partnerships with six influential migraine patient advocacy organizations: the Association of Migraine Disorders (AMD), the American Migraine Foundation (AMF), the Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP), Miles for Migraine, the National Headache Foundation (NHF), and the World Health Education Foundation (WHEF). These organizations bring decades of experience, extensive networks, and deep insights into the patient experience, ensuring that the initiative is grounded in real-world needs.
Paula K. Dumas, President of the World Health Education Foundation and Executive Producer of the Migraine World Summit, emphasized the importance of understanding the complexities of migraine. “It’s essential for people with migraine to grasp the full scope of this disease — if it’s not well managed, it can escalate and disrupt every aspect of your life. Yet, the severity and life impact can vary dramatically from person to person. Years ago, I wasn’t aware of the risks of disease progression until I reached a breaking point. Today, I’m grateful that better control is possible. Initiatives like this educate patients on effective migraine care and aim to reduce the suffering that too many endure.”
Shifting the Narrative Around Migraine
Historically, migraine has been underestimated both by healthcare systems and society at large, often dismissed as “just a headache.” This misconception contributes to stigma, delays in diagnosis, and insufficient access to preventive therapies. By fostering dialogue among patients, healthcare providers, and the community, the “Raise the Bar for Migraine Care” initiative seeks to reshape perceptions, highlighting migraine as a serious, multifaceted neurological condition that demands comprehensive care.
The Lundbeck program encourages healthcare providers to move beyond a narrow focus on symptom relief and to Lundbeck consider long-term disease management strategies. This includes preventive therapies, lifestyle modifications, patient education, and monitoring of disease progression. By promoting a more nuanced understanding of migraine, Lundbeck and its partners aim to ensure that patients receive timely, personalized, and effective interventions.
Innovative Approaches and Future Directions
The initiative also underscores the importance of innovation in migraine care. With new therapies and treatment modalities emerging, patients now have more options than ever before. However, access to these treatments, as well as understanding how to integrate them into a comprehensive care plan, remains a challenge. Lundbeck By providing patients with resources, guidance, and advocacy support, the initiative helps individuals navigate these options and make informed decisions in partnership with their healthcare providers.
Moreover, the program emphasizes the role of individualized care goals. For some patients, success may mean reducing the number of migraine attacks; for others, it could involve improving functional capacity, enhancing quality of sleep, or regaining the ability to participate in social and professional activities. By recognizing that “better” is subjective and patient-specific, the initiative fosters a more holistic approach to care.
Community Engagement and Awareness
Pain Awareness Month provides a timely backdrop for the launch of this initiative, amplifying its reach and impact. By bringing together voices from patient advocates, healthcare professionals, and the broader migraine community, Lundbeck aims to spark a broader conversation about what optimal migraine care should look like. The initiative encourages participation not only from patients but also from caregivers, families, and employers, recognizing that comprehensive migraine management extends beyond the clinic.
Educational campaigns, webinars, and community events associated with the initiative help demystify migraine, reduce stigma, and empower patients to seek care proactively. By increasing public awareness and understanding, Lundbeck these efforts contribute to a more supportive environment for individuals living with migraine and promote early intervention strategies that can prevent disease progression.
Conclusion: Raising the Standard for Migraine Care
Migraine is a complex, disabling, and often progressive neurological disease that affects millions worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, many patients continue to experience significant disruptions to their daily lives, underscoring the need for improved care strategies and patient support. Through the “Raise the Bar for Migraine Care” initiative, Lundbeck and its partner advocacy organizations aim to transform the landscape of migraine care by promoting a holistic, patient-centered approach that goes beyond symptom relief to enhance overall quality of life.
By empowering patients, fostering Lundbeck collaboration with healthcare providers, and advocating for innovative, individualized care strategies, this initiative sets a new standard for migraine management. It reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that people living with migraine are not only treated effectively but also supported in their pursuit of fulfilling, uninterrupted lives.
